WKA FL Divisional
Jacksonville, FL
Feb. 26, 2000

The day started off at 5 am. Since it is a divisional, they start practice at 8:00. We got to the track and got into our parking spot. Pulled the kart out and got ready to go. I needed to run my motor to break it in. Dad had done it on the driver's ed. range in Gainesville, but we wanted to be sure. Of course, since things were "running late" they cut the break in session, so I used to first practice to break in the motor.

For the first heat I started seventh. I had some work to do. I got an okay start, but was still in the back of the pack. I was all over #88 in the turns, but then on the straight we were equal. On the third lap I dove to the inside of him in turn 3 (a 45 degree right hander) and on the exit of the turn was #74, Shawn Helms, spinning. I got on the brakes and looped my kart, but I beat Shawn back to the track. We had a good race. I could tell he was right on my bumper because the corner worker in the "sweeper" was looking at us to see if we were bumping. I managed to hold him off and on the last lap, his motor stuck. Even with a spin I finished third!

We went back to the trailer and I told dad that I really wanted my favorite gears...11-70 back on. He had this brilliant idea that a 12 tooth would work better, WRONG!

For the second heat I started on the pole. Shawn was next to me and Chris Stage was behind him. I got zero help from behind on the start and Shawn & Chris pushed past me. I settled into third and wasn't sure if there was anyone behind me or not. Then I got a tap on the fifth lap. On the sixth lap my kart started acting funny. If I slowed below 10,000 rpm it died. The clutch just would not pick up. I did everything I could to hold off #11 and #24. They kept bumping me, which actually helped get my rpm back up, but on the last lap they both got past me on the exit of the sweeper. I finished fifth.

We took the clutch apart to find that, hmm, how do I explain this with all of my technical knowledge....the thingie that holds the barbell that holds the three things that make the clutch engage (are you still with me) broke, so the three things and the barbell were floating around. I did good to finish!

For the feature I started fourth. Not bad for only having an okay day. I started behind Shawn. At the wave of the green flag I was pushing him. We both almost got by Chris, who started on pole, but I didn't quite make it, so I settled into third. I felt pretty good about the kart. I was trying to catch Chris and Shawn with everything I had, but I just couldn't quite do it. Then on the sixth lap #24 pulled up beside me on the straight. He was on the inside, so I was able to shut the door on him at the end of the straight. On the next lap he drafted by me and there was nothing I could do. Again, I was all over him in the turns, and when we came out of the "sweeper" I had a run on him. I passed him on the inside. On the next lap he got back by me at the end of the straight.

As we went by Steve he gave us the "two to go" signal. I decided I would sit back and ride this one out. I sucked up behind #24, but let off a little. We went by start/finish and Steve threw the white flag, one to go. I settled down and told myself, don't make any mistakes. I let him get a little lead so I could use the draft coming out of the sweeper. At the exit I slid just a little and I thought I had kissed my chance good-bye, but not quite. The draft sucked me in pretty fast and I was able to make a dive to the inside. He was still ahead by half a kart, but I knew he would brake, and I didn't. I dove to the inside and made a clean pass, thank God for new tires! I held him off in the flat turn and crossed the finish line half a kart ahead!

We had a great race for third. Too bad we couldn't catch up to Shawn and Chris, maybe next time. When we got to the scales I got out of my kart, went to shake Phil's (#24) hand and he just hugged me. Now that's what karting's all about!

Next up is the national in Charlotte. I'm getting a new clutch and a new pipe. We're hoping for the best, and a little sun!